By choosing to post the reply below you agree to the rules you agreed to when joining Sailnet.
Click Here to view those rules.

Message:

Trackback:

Send Trackbacks to (Separate multiple URLs with spaces) :

Post Icons

You may choose an icon for your message from the following list:

No icon

Register Now

In order to be able to post messages on the SailNet Community forums, you must first register. Please enter your desired user name, your email address and other required details in the form below.Please note: After entering 3 characters a list of Usernames already in use will appear and the list will disappear once a valid Username is entered.

User Name:

Password

Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.

Password:

Confirm Password:

Email Address

Please enter a valid email address for yourself.

Email Address:

Log-in

User Name

Remember Me?

Password

Human Verification

In order to verify that you are a human and not a spam bot, please enter the answer into the following box below based on the instructions contained in the graphic.

Click here to view the posting rules you are bound to when clicking the'Submit Reply' button below

Additional Options

Miscellaneous Options

Automatically parse links in text

Automatically embed media (requires automatic parsing of links in text to be on).

Automatically retrieve titles from external links

Click here to view the posting rules you are bound to when clicking the'Submit Reply' button below

Topic Review (Newest First)

09-07-2013 09:22 PM

steve77

Re: Power Cord/Adapter Issues

I just picked up a SmartPlug this weekend. I haven't installed it yet but did disconnect the old receptacle and connected the SmartPlug receptacle to see how hard it would be and it wasn't difficult at all. I'll have to drill new holes for the receptacle mounting plate since the screws are a different size but other than that it seems like a quick fix.

09-07-2013 08:15 PM

Bob142

Re: Power Cord/Adapter Issues

After the second plug failure...I cut the burnt end off and pulled the cord into the boat right to the breaker panel and attached securely...cord not as long but a small price to pay for peace of mind...

09-07-2013 07:49 PM

boatpoker

Re: Power Cord/Adapter Issues

The only marine "boots" I have seen are molded, one piece units that cannot be "pried " back. On the other hand I have seen any number of plugs from the local harware store attached to old power cords. This is a foolish thing to do.

09-07-2013 07:19 PM

npettett

Pry the boot (takes a little time) on the plugs/cords that are getting hot and they will have loose screws on the connections on the back of the plug. With the hot and cold temperatures and general use the screws will loosen, resistance increases. Tighten the screws once a year, problem solved.

09-07-2013 05:41 PM

boatpoker

Re: Power Cord/Adapter Issues

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebs001

There is an inherent design flaw in the 30 Amp female plug. The problem always occurs on the neutral side on the female end of the 30 amp cord set or the neutral side of the pedestal receptacle.

When plugging in the cord at the boat end the power should be off at the pedestal. The cord needs to be twisted clockwise and secured in position with the plastic threaded ring. The male end at the pedestal needs to be secured in a similar fashion. Then the power can be turned on. The overheating of these connections is caused by improper contact.

The receptacle blade connection really needs to be redesigned so that there is a positive click when twisted into place, however; I don't think that's ever going to happen. So in the mean time CD's suggestions are a very good solution.

Glad you mentioned this. Few boaters turn off their AC mains or shore side breakers before connecting or disconnecting. This causes arcing as the plugs are jiggled back and forth and can send battery chargers and inverters into fits.

09-07-2013 05:37 PM

ebs001

Re: Power Cord/Adapter Issues

There is an inherent design flaw in the 30 Amp female plug. The problem always occurs on the neutral side on the female end of the 30 amp cord set or the neutral side of the pedestal receptacle.

When plugging in the cord at the boat end the power should be off at the pedestal. The cord needs to be twisted clockwise and secured in position with the plastic threaded ring. The male end at the pedestal needs to be secured in a similar fashion. Then the power can be turned on. The overheating of these connections is caused by improper contact.

The receptacle blade connection really needs to be redesigned so that there is a positive click when twisted into place, however; I don't think that's ever going to happen. So in the mean time CD's suggestions are a very good solution.

09-07-2013 04:05 PM

boatpoker

Re: Power Cord/Adapter Issues

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaduction

When you leave dock to cruise, you unplug from the dock side and coil the cord and hang it on the boat somewhere, right?

Correct.

09-07-2013 01:50 PM

Seaduction

Re: Power Cord/Adapter Issues

When you leave dock to cruise, you unplug from the dock side and coil the cord and hang it on the boat somewhere, right?

09-07-2013 01:39 PM

boatpoker

Re: Power Cord/Adapter Issues

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seaduction

Thanks, I knew about wire nuts on boats. Where have you placed the buss bar?

The bus bar is inside a locker that opens from inside the cabin only and is within 12" of the clamshell which the cord passes through. From the bus bar to the panel is another 3'. All within ABYC standards.

09-07-2013 01:32 PM

Seaduction

Re: Power Cord/Adapter Issues

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Wire nuts are prohibted by ABYC.

Hard wiring to the boat means the boat end of the shore power cord - Appropriately sized ring terminals on each incoming conductor to a bus bar (covered) then from the bus bar to the panel, again with appropriately sized ring terminals.

Simple and effective You eliminate six connections (on a three wire conductor) and no longer have anything to come loose.

Thanks, I knew about wire nuts on boats. Where have you placed the buss bar?

This thread has more than 10 replies.
Click here to review the whole thread.